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City of Cape Town Draft Animal Keeping By-Law, 2026
The City of Cape Town is inviting public comment on its new draft Animal Keeping By-Law, 2026, covering the keeping, care and control of animals across the city.
The proposed By-Law is wide-ranging and deals with domestic pets as well as livestock, poultry, birds, rabbits, bees, wild and exotic animals, working animals, animal-related businesses and animal welfare organisations. It also includes provisions relating to nuisance complaints, stray animals, impoundment and enforcement.
How to get involved
Visit the City of Cape Town Public Participation page to read more and submit your comments:
Public Comment Deadline: 28 September 2026
You can read a quick summary below or the full Draft City of Cape Town Animal Keeping By-Law, 2026 can be downloaded here.
Key points for DWCA residents
(This summary is provided for general information only. Residents should consult the full By-Law for the complete requirements and any applicable exemptions)
For most residents, the provisions relating to dogs and cats are likely to be of greatest interest:
Limits on numbers: The number of dogs permitted depends on the type and size of property. A dwelling unit may generally have up to two dogs over six months old, a dwelling house three, and a large dwelling house (an erf over 600 m²) four. Residential properties may generally keep up to four cats over six months old. A permit may be sought to keep additional animals.
Permits for dogs and cats: Owners of dogs and cats older than six months are required to apply to the City for a permit for each animal. Applications must include the prescribed fee and a valid rabies inoculation certificate. - Identification: Dogs and cats must have either appropriate collar identification or be microchipped, with the owner's contact details registered. - Sterilisation: Dogs and cats over six months must be sterilised unless the owner obtains a City permit to keep the animal unsterilised.
Dogs in public places: Dogs must generally be on a leash and under control in public streets and public places unless they are in an area specifically designated by the City as a free-running area. Owners must also immediately remove their dog's excrement from public places.
Nuisance: Animals may not create a nuisance or health nuisance through noise, odour, escaping or wandering, or through the conditions in which they are kept. The City may issue compliance notices requiring an owner to address a nuisance.
Dangerous animals: A permit is required for an animal classified as dangerous. Owners must take measures to prevent escape or harm and, when such an animal is taken off the property, it must be leashed, controlled and humanely muzzled.
Fireworks and animals: It is prohibited to intentionally or negligently terrify, distress or harm an animal with fireworks or by other means.
Stray animals: Anyone who rescues or takes possession of a stray animal must report it to the City or pound within 24 hours and the animal must be presented to a pound or veterinary practice to be scanned for a microchip.
The By-Law also regulates the keeping of poultry, birds, rabbits, livestock, bees and wild or exotic animals. On residential properties, permits are required for a number of these animals. Among other provisions, pigs and roosters may not be kept on residential premises, while up to five chicken hens may be kept without the permit otherwise required for poultry.
The By-Law also contains detailed provisions covering animal welfare, commercial breeding and sale, pet shops and parlours, kennels and catteries, working animals, pounds and animal welfare organisations, together with enforcement, seizure and impoundment procedures.
Residents who keep animals are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the provisions relevant to them. The full City of Cape Town Animal Keeping By-Law, 2026 can be downloaded here
Watch this space: DWCA Business Membership
The DWCA has recently been working with an international team of postgraduate interns from diiVe on a project exploring how the Association can strengthen its relationship with businesses in De Waterkant.
The project set out to look at how local businesses experience the precinct, what they might value from DWCA membership, and how the Association could support a more connected relationship between businesses, residents, visitors and the wider De Waterkant community.
The interns have now completed their work and presented their findings and recommendations to the DWCA Management Committee. ManCom will be considering these carefully and will shortly share proposed next steps with DWCA members for comment and discussion.
The aim is to build on De Waterkant’s distinctive character and community life in a way that supports a stronger, more visible and more collaborative local precinct. Special thanks to the creative, resourceful team of interns for the time and effort they invested to compile this detailed report.
More details will follow soon — watch this space.
News24 report highlights the DWCA’s concerns about Cape Town’s planning system
News24 has reported on the public meeting hosted in De Waterkant on 16 July, at which residents and civic organisations raised concerns about transparency, procedural consistency and enforcement in Cape Town’s planning system.
Speaking on behalf of the DWCA, interim chair Seton Bailey emphasised that the association is not opposed to development and continues to support appropriate, sustainable development that respects De Waterkant’s historic character. He stressed, however, that public confidence depends on planning processes being fair, consistent, transparent and properly enforced.
As the full News24 report is available to subscribers only, the principal concerns presented by Seton on behalf of the DWCA in the article are summarised below:
Failure in some cases to notify affected parties and recognised conservation bodies.
Concerns that incorrect, outdated or insufficiently verified documents may be relied upon during planning decisions.
Poor coordination between municipal departments, heritage authorities and other public bodies.
Inadequate responses to objections and submissions made by residents and civic organisations.
Increasing reliance on departures from established planning frameworks and heritage protections.
Delays in addressing unlawful development and enforcing planning conditions.
The cumulative effects of densification on neighbourhood character, traffic, parking and local infrastructure.
The DWCA called for more reliable notification procedures, stronger verification of supporting documents, better coordination between authorities, properly reasoned decisions and consistent enforcement.
Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews responded in general terms rather than addressing each of the specific concerns raised, saying that development applications are assessed against the relevant planning laws and policies and that departures are considered on their individual merits. He also acknowledged concerns about enforcement delays and said that proposed amendments to the Municipal Planning By-law should improve public access to planning decisions.
The DWCA remains committed to constructive engagement with the City, developers, professionals and residents in support of a planning system that protects public trust while enabling appropriate development. This commitment is reflected in the sustained work of the DWCA’s Built Environment Sub-committee, whose members devote considerable time and expertise to reviewing applications, engaging with the relevant authorities and advocating for planning decisions that are transparent, consistent and responsive to the character and needs of De Waterkant.
Read Marvin Charles’s full report on News24:
Battle over Atlantic Seaboard development reaches boiling point
State of Cape Town Central City Report 2025 - web.pdfState of Cape Town Central City Report 2025
The Cape Town Central City Improvement District’s annual report provides a detailed snapshot of the changing CBD, covering property development, residential trends, business and retail activity, tourism, the creative economy and the character of its different precincts.
Although the report relates specifically to the CCID’s 1.74 km² footprint, this area directly adjoins the Atlantic Seaboard and De Waterkant. Its findings therefore provide useful context for residents interested in the development pressures, economic activity and broader urban changes taking place around our neighbourhood—particularly the continuing growth in residential and mixed-use development within the inner city.
DWCA Raises De Waterkant Planning Concerns on Radio 786
How should Cape Town balance development with the protection of historic neighbourhoods such as De Waterkant?
In this Radio 786 interview, DWCA Deputy Chairperson Willem Bruwer explains why residents are increasingly concerned about the number of planning departures being granted, the role of the Municipal Planning Tribunal, and shortcomings in public notification and participation.
He also clarifies that the DWCA is not opposed to development—or to social and affordable housing—but believes that development should take place transparently, sustainably and within the planning frameworks created to guide it.
Listen to the podcast here or read the full transcript here.
DWCA Letter to Ald. Eddie Andrews
DWCA letter to Ald. Eddie Andrews, MMC for Spatial Planning and Environment (1).pdfLetter Addendum A
124 Waterkant Street: Partial Appeal Against the MPT Approval and the Exclusion of Registered Interested and Affected Parties
Letter Addendum B
Strand Street Quarry Redevelopment: DWCA Response to the Public Misrepresentation of Its Position and the Consultation Process
Letter Addendum C
Strand Street Quarry Land-Use Application: Formal Objections Regarding Public Participation, Rezoning and the Proposed Parking Development on Portion C
DWCA Raises Concerns Over 124 Waterkant Street Development
The DWCA Management has submitted a partial appeal against the Municipal Planning Tribunal decision relating to the proposed development at 124 Waterkant Street, Green Point. A copy of the document is available here.
The appeal raises concerns about the scale of the approved departures, the potential impact on the Loader Street Heritage Protection Overlay Zone, Bayview Terrace, surrounding properties, parking and infrastructure, and the risk of setting an undesirable precedent for future development adjacent to De Waterkant’s historic precinct.
The DWCA supports appropriate development, but believes that any development in or near this sensitive heritage area should respect the area’s architectural character, streetscape, public views and long-term urban fabric.
Inner City Developments and Projects
At the recent DWCA general meeting held on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, Cllr Ian McMahon shared a comprehensive overview of planned and ongoing developments in Cape Town’s inner city, including a significant number of new residential (housing) projects.
Several of these projects are located in precincts adjacent to De Waterkant and may be of particular interest to residents and property owners in our area.
You can view Cllr McMahon’s full presentation here.
Is there a car blocking your driveway =>
"This goes against your property rights as someone living or renting the home. People have a right of access to their property and we [Cape Town Traffic] will gladly move that obstruction for you."
Kevin Jacobs, Cape Town Traffic - Spokesperson
Call Law Enforcement on
021-480-7700
They will come out and tow the offending vehicle!
In early April, members of DWCA met with the City, CID, and Cape Town Carnival leadership to DEBRIEF on Cape Town Carnival 2026.
The De Waterkant Civic Association (DWCA) has submitted a formal objection to key aspects of the proposed redevelopment at the Strand Street Quarry site.
While supportive of initiatives that benefit the broader community, the DWCA raises serious concerns about the integrity of the public participation process, misrepresentations made by the applicant, and the significant negative impact the current plans would have on the De Waterkant neighbourhood. You can read our full submission here.
Do you have any important News or Events impacting De Waterkant or that might be of interest to our members?
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communication@dwca.co.za
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